Car rental in Croatia – who can rent?

In Croatia all driving licences are accepted. If your licence is printed using a non-Latin alphabet, for instance in Russian, Arabic or Chinese, you will need to get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). An IDP can only be obtained before you leave the United States from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).

Crossing borders and car rental in Croatia

There is usually no problem with taking a rental car across an international border, but you are advised to check with your rental company regarding your plans. You should also check the insurance situation if you intend to leave the EU and visit Montenegro, BiH or Serbia. A green card will be required. Most rental companies will have this included in the price, but check before you book.

Is it possible to organise a one-way car rental in Croatia?

Yes. This can be a very cost effective way of travelling if you are in a small group, and routes such as Split to Dubrovnik are good examples of popular one-way rentals. It may also be possible to do one-way rentals across borders. Check with your car rental company before you book. A full directory of car hire companies in Croatia, with branch contact details, can be found below.

Is it better to rent a car on the mainland or the island in Croatia?

Most tourists organise car rental in Croatia at the airport, or at least on the mainland, without thinking things through. While taking a car at the airport might seem to be the most convenient option, if you are planning on island hopping, it could well turn out to be a hindrance.

Taking a car from island to island is not as easy as it should be in Croatia, and a costly and time-consuming trip via the mainland is often required. Consider instead the possibility of 1-2 day rentals per island. Not only will you probably not use the car every day, but you will also save on the cost of the car ferry, as well as gaining greater travel flexibility.

In the event of an accident

In the
event of an accident, please inform the police immediately. It does not matter
whether the vehicle is only slightly damaged, the accident was self-inflicted
or if no other vehicles were involved. Please fill out the accident report that
was provided to you with your rental documents and report any damage to the
vehicle directly to the rent-a-car company during the rental period. For
general emergencies in Croatia call 112, for police 192 and for roadside help
1987.

Driving on Croatian roads – what you need to know

Croatian roads are very good in general, and visitors tend to have few problems. For more information on driving in Croatia and what to expect on Croatia’s roads, read the dedicated Total Croatia driving section.